Reproductive performance of sows submitted to intrauterine insemination

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of sows artificially inseminated by the intrauterine (IAIU) technique. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design, with 300 sows being distributed in five insemination techniques: control, intra-cervical (IAIC) with 3x10 9 spermatozoa/ 100 mL; intrauterine (IAIU) with 1x10 9 spermatozoa/100 mL; intrauterine with com 1x10 9 spermatozoa/50 mL; intrauterine with 5x10 8 spermatozoa/100 mL; and intrauterine com 5x10 8 spermatozoa/50 mL. The sows submitted to intrauterine insemination presented a farrowing rate of 90.8% and return to estrus rate of 9.2%, which did not differ from the rates obtained by the intra-cervical technique (90.0% and 10.0%, respectively). Total litter size did not differ between the techniques, with the means being from 11.4 to 11.9 piglets at farrowing. Although 4.6% of the sows submitted to intrauterine artificial insemination had difficulty with pipette insertion into the cervix, 100% of them were inseminated.When evaluating semen backflow, no difference was found between the intra-cervical and intrauterine insemination techniques. However, total semen backflow was higher in sows submitted to inter-cervical insemination. No difference was found in the presence of blood between the two methods evaluated. Hence, any of the intrauterine insemination techniques can substitute inter-cervical artificial insemination without damaging the reproductive performance of the animals.Key Words: intra-cervical insemination, intrauterine insemination, semen backflow, swine Desempenho reprodutivo de matrizes suínas inseminadas pela técnica intrauterinaRESUMO -Um experimento foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho reprodutivo de matrizes suínas inseminadas pela técnica intrauterina (IAIU). Em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, 300 fêmeas foram distribuídas em cinco técnicas de inseminação: controle -intracervical (IAIC) com 3x10 9 espermatozoides/100 mL; intrauterina (IAIU) com 1x10 9 espermatozoides/100 mL; intrauterina com 1x10 9 espermatozoides/50 mL; intrauterina com 5x10 8 espermatozoides/100 mL; e intrauterina com 5x10 8 espermatozoides/50 mL. As fêmeas inseminadas pela técnica intrauterina apresentaram taxa de parto de 90,8% e taxa de repetição de estro de 9,2%, que não diferiram das taxas obtidas pela técnica intracervical (90,0% e 10,0%, respectivamente). O total de leitões nascidos não diferiu entre as técnicas, com média geral de 11,4 a 11,9 leitões por parto. Apesar da dificuldade na passagem da pipeta em 4,6% das fêmeas submetidas à inseminação artificial intrauterina, 100% das fêmeas foram inseminadas. Na avaliação da ocorrência de refluxo de sêmen, não houve diferença entre as técnicas de inseminação intracervical e intrauterina. Entretanto, o total de espermatozoides refluídos foi maior nas fêmeas submetidas à inseminação intracervical. A ocorrência de sangramento não diferiu entre as técnicas estudadas. Portanto, qualquer uma das técnicas de inseminação intrauterina po...

Effect of incidents associated to post-cervical artificial insemination on reproductive performance of sows

“…Araújo et al (2009) reported similar results, with 4.6% of sows presenting problems during insemination. Also, Watson & Behan (2002) concluded that more than 95% of the sows could be easily inseminated and Sbardella et al (2013) observed that in 86.8% of the cases studied, the post-cervical probe passed through the cervix without problem.…”

“…Sbardella et al (2013) observed that although bleeding did not affect the farrowing rate, litter size was smaller in sows inseminated with the postcervical system and presence of blood during insemination. On the other hand, Araújo et al (2009) compared the traditional to post-cervical insemination techniques and found out a higher incidence of bleeding in sows inseminated with PCAI which did not influence the rate of returns to estrus or litter size. Although this problem is not largely spread in the population, it would be recommendable to choose the less aggressive insemination inner catheter for the animal rather than that which guarantees the higher number of insertions.…”

Preliminary Assessment of the Mucosal Toxicity of Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Essential Oils on Novel Porcine Uterus Models

“…Moreover, to standardize both the in vitro and ex vivo models, we decided to set incubation time to 1 h. Indeed, during in vivo AI, the most common swine reproductive technology, the physiological gelatinous plug produced by the last part of the boar ejaculate that would "close" the cervix to prevent backflow, is obviously lacking. This makes for a rapid elimination of the inserted fluid, with more than 80% of it being leaked within 2 h. Moreover, in in vivo conditions, the AI dose is be immediately diluted by the mucosal secretion within the uterus [8,41,42]. This is why we felt confident performing the treatment for 1 h, in a closed system where both backflow and dilution would be impossible.…”

“…A major concern is the generation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains in AI stations, triggered by the intense use of antibiotics in semen extenders. Seventy to 90% of the volume of the semen dose is retrograde eliminated from the uterus after AI [8], thus considerable amounts of antibiotic and potentially resistant bacteria enter the manure. The progressive ban of certain antibiotics for veterinary use [9], reinforces the need for alternative antimicrobial strategies in boar semen extenders [5].…”

Indicadores de desempenho relacionado ao parto de fêmeas suínas de primeiro e segundo partos

“…Nos sistemas de produção intensiva de suínos, é fundamental proceder à coleta e ao registro criteriosos dos dados de desempenho zootécnico para a correta interpretação dos índices obtidos e identificação dos pontos críticos relacionados ao desempenho inadequado nas granjas (Araújo et al, 2009). Isso poderá permitir o planejamento de estratégias de manejo adequadas (Muirhead & Alexander, 1997).…”